Manga Hotel Group Acquired Chicago River North Property

The 261-room Royal Sonesta Chicago River North has been rebranded as Hotel 505 River North following its acquisition.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Hotels

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Manga Hotel Group has completed the acquisition of the former Royal Sonesta property in Chicago, rebranding the 261-room site as Hotel 505 River North. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Manga Hotel Group has acquired the 261-room Royal Sonesta Chicago River North and transitioned the property to an independent brand. The hotel has been officially rebranded as Hotel 505 River North as part of the group's ongoing expansion.

Why it matters

The acquisition represents a strategic effort by Manga Hotel Group to establish a footprint in Chicago. The site is expected to eventually transition into the company's TOOR Hotel brand.

The property includes 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space distributed across 10 dedicated meeting rooms. It serves a capacity of 261 rooms total.

The players

Manga Hotel Group

This Toronto-based hospitality firm manages a diverse portfolio of hotels across North America.

Hotel 505 River North

This newly branded independent property in Chicago features 261 guest rooms and extensive meeting facilities.

The details

The property has moved away from its previous branding to become an independent hotel. This shift allows the Toronto-based ownership group to integrate the Chicago site alongside its other portfolio properties located in New York City.

Timeline

  1. Manga Hotel Group acquired the SoHo 54 Hotel in 2025.

  2. The acquisition of The Chelsean New York Hotel occurred in June 2026.

  3. The acquisition of the Royal Sonesta was announced on October 1, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This acquisition follows the documented trend of independent hotel assets being absorbed by larger groups to expand their brand reach. The move reflects a broader industry pattern where hospitality firms prioritize established urban locations to diversify their geographic footprint.

Travelers visiting the River North area should note the rebranding to Hotel 505 River North when searching for current or future bookings. The site remains a significant venue for business gatherings given its 8,000 square feet of available meeting space.

The takeaway

The addition of this property signals a growing presence for the parent company within the Midwest hospitality sector. Guests should anticipate future service changes as the site moves toward its eventual integration into the TOOR Hotel brand.

Further reading

For more information on the local lodging market, see our guide to Chicago Hotels.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Hotelier Magazine.

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Do you generally prefer staying at large hotel chains over smaller, independent boutique properties?